Unanimous Vote For Dog Training For Colorado Officers

DENVER (AP) – A measure to protect dogs is winning broad bipartisan support in a Colorado Legislature that has many times this year devolved into sharp partisan bickering.

The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to require law enforcement officers to take additional training in animal conflict. The measure was inspired by high-profile pet shootings by police in recent years.

The bill appears to be the first of its kind in the nation. It requires sheriff and police departments to offer three hours of online training for deputies and officers on how to recognize dog behaviors and employ nonlethal methods to control them.